I Have a Question About an Accident Involving a Drunk Driver.©

Written by: Mark Wolfe, Attorney at Law. The following information is provided as general advice and without charge. Questions about specific issues or situations should be directed to an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney. NOTE: The following material is protected by all applicable State and Federal Copyright laws. Published May, 2005.

FACT: Impaired driving is a chronic problem that will affect one in three Americans in their lifetime. Nearly 42,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year, and about 16,000 of these are alcohol-related. Alcohol-related crashes account for one person killed every 33 minutes and one person injured every two minutes every day of the year. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web site.

In Alabama driving under the influence of alcohol, or in an impaired condition, may be considered wanton conduct. In Alabama wantonness is similar to what other States call gross negligence or recklessness. Alabama law defines wanton conduct as the conscious doing of some act, or omission of some duty, knowing that the act or omission will likely or probably result in an injury. A drunk or impaired driver knowingly disregards the dangers of drinking and driving. This conduct is often considered wanton and, in addition to compensatory damages, Alabama law allows victims of wanton conduct to recover punitive damages from the drunk or impaired driver. The legal limit for blood-alcohol content (BAC) in Alabama is .08.

Victims of a drunk driver should seek immediate advice from an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney.